Governor Bill Walker has signed legislation which requires the state to provide health insurance for the dependents of state law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
On Wednesday, Walker signed House Bill 23 in North Pole at a memorial park in North Pole established to honor Trooper Gabe Rich and Sergeant Scott Johnson, troopers killed while responding to a call in the village of Tanana in 2014.
Sergeant Johnson’s widow was among fallen officer’s family members attending yesterday’s signing ceremony. Brandy Johnson was instrumental in pushing the health insurance bill thorough the legislature. The legislation allows local municipalities to opt into the state insurance program.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
